Finger device for cutting thread, cord, &amp;c.



No. 689,l22. Patented Dec. l7, l90l.

J. H. POLHEMUS.

FINGER DEVICE FOR CUTTING THREAD, CORD, 8w.

(Application filed Aug 3, 1901.)

(No Model.)

WITNESSES UNITED dramas Parent @rrncn,

JANE II. POLHEMUS, OF DOBBS FERRY, NEW YORK.

FINGER DEVICE FOR CUTTING THREAD, CORD, &0.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 689,122, dated December 17, 1901- Applioation filed August 3,1901. Serial No. 70,786. (No model.)

To (tZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, JANE H. PoLHEMUs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dobbs Ferry, in the county of Westchester and State of New York, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Finger Devices for Cutting Thread, Cord, &c., of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to finger devices for cutting thread, cord, rice; and it has for its object to provide an improved device of this class which may be readily fitted to and retained upon the fingers of seamstresses, storeclerks, merchandise packers, shippers, and others requiring convenient means for cutting threads, cords, and similar materials.

The invention has for its particular object the provision of an improved device of the class described which will be simple in construction, inexpensive in manufacture, and positive and convenient in operation, which will readily adapt itself to fingers of different sizes, and which will be generally superior in efficiency and serviceability.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating my improved finger device in use. Fig. 2 is a detail edge View of the improved device. Fig. 3 is a detail side view of the same.

Corresponding parts in all the figures are denoted by the same reference characters.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates my improved finger device, which consists of a body portion 2 of the general form of a fingerring and is provided with a laterally-projecting cutter member 3, which is carried by the body portion in position for conveniently and expeditiously cutting threads, cords, &c., when the body portion is in position upon the finger, as illustrated in Fig. 1. The body portion 2 consists of a split ring 4, the end portions 5 and 6, respectively, of which overlap, the end portion 5 being arranged within or beneath the end portion 6, which latter end portion carries the cutter member 3, the relative arrangement of parts being such that the end portion 6 and the cutter member 3 efiectually operate as a shield for the end portion 5 and prevent the same from catching upon or engaging with the thread, twine, or other device or devices when the finger device is in use. The split ring 4 embodies inherently a spring quality, whereby the split ring when fitted upon the finger of the user binds firmly upon the finger and secures the finger device in operative position.

In the preferred form of construction the body portion 2 and the cutter member 3 are of integral formation and composed of a sin gle narrow band or strip 7 of stiff spring metal, which may be cut or stamped from a sheet of the same stock and is formed up into the split ring 4 and the cutter member 3, one end portion 8 of the strip 7 being curved inwardly to constitute the end portion 5 of the split ring 4 and the other end portion 9 of said strip 7 being curved above the end portion 8 to constitute the end portion 6 of the split ring 4, which embodies the cutter member 3. Said end portion 9 of the strip 7 is notched at one side, as at 10, and the side edges of said notch are beveled and sharpened, as at 11, to form the cutting edges of the cutter member 3, the notch 10 being sub stantially of V-shaped formation.

The operation and advantages of my improved finger device will be readily understood. The split ring 4 is slipped over the proper finger of the user and readily adapts itself to the proportions and dimensions of the finger, because of the spring quality embodied in the same and of the capability of the end portions 5 and 6 of said split ring for relative movement. The split ring 4 is so adjusted upon the finger that the end portion 6 of the same, embodying the cutter member 3, projects from the finger in proper and convenient position for engagement with threads, cords, dad, for cutting the same according to the preferred method of use of the device, and when it is desired to use the finger device the thread or cord is slipped into the notch 10 in the end portion 9 of the strip 7, and the finger is given a sudden movement to cause the severance of the thread or cord by means of the cutting edges 11 of the notch 10.

The device is extremely simple and inexpensive in manipulation, being capable of formation by stamping or cutting from a sheet or strip of suitable stock and is readily bent into operative form by any well-known means adapted to the purpose. The split ring 4 readily adjusts itself to all conditions of use, depending upon its connection with fingers of varying proportions, and the cutter member 3 at all times projects into position for expeditiously and conveniently cutting the cord or twine.

I do not desire to be understood as limiting myself to the details of construction and arrangement as herein described and illustrated, as it is manifest that variations and modifications may be made in the features of construction and arrangement in the adaptation of the device to various conditions of use without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention and improvements. I therefore reserve the right to all such variation and modification as properly fall Within the scope of my invention and the terms of the following claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. As an improved article of manufacture, an improved finger device of the class described, of integral construction, comprising a body portion consisting 'of a split ring having an inherent spring quality, and a cutter member, one end portion of said split ring being outwardlylooped to embody the cutter member.

2. As an improved article of manufacture, an improved finger device of the class described, comprisinga body portion and a cutter member, said body portion consisting of a split ring the end portions of Which overlap and having an inherent spring quality, the outer end portion of said split ring being outwardly looped and provided with a knifeedged notch to constitute the cutter member.

In testimony whereof I have signed my namein the presence of the subscribing witnesses.

JANE H. POLHEMUS. \Vitnesses:

J. R. LITTELL, J. M. HOGTOR. 

